Durable tubes
 

What tubes are you running? I've been using the El Cheapo PB $3.99 tubes and getting flats at the cyclic rate. Looking for some better tubes. Don't want to use tire liners. Suggestions?

I used these:http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1034747_-1___
Front lasted 300 miles. Rear is still going after over 600 miles.

'Better tubes' are lighter tubes. Which means latex or polyurethane or thinner butyl. All which are more susceptible to flats. Not less.

Without going to thorn/slime tubes anyways.

I read somewhere that all standard butyl tubes are made in one of 3 factories so it doesn't matter what brand you buy. I think I read it here in fact so you know it's true.

I have a 23 tire. Does it matter if it's a 19-26 tube or a 23-26 or 18-23...

By better I mean tougher, more durable.

Maybe the problem stems from your tires or rim strips. Tubes are largely irrelevant with respect to puncture resistance.

This .... unless there's some type of heavy-duty tube, but I always use "regular" tubes, and get a couple of flats per year.

The Forte tubes from Performance tend to split at the valve too often for me. I also don't like that their valves are longer than typical. Whenever I place an order from Jenson, Pricepoint etc. I buy whatever $3 tubes they have.

I have about 10,000 miles on the same set of Michelin Ultralights, and no patches. About 71 grams and smooth stems.

Flats occur either from bad luck with glass, thorns, etc, or from poor mounting. Some people have more bad luck depending on where they live and the debris in the roads. I feel bad for riders who have to deal with that. I might see broken glass twice a year as I ride around it.

The tubes are going into semi-retirement though this year as I will be riding tubulars most of the time.

This happened to me with both wheels yesterday.

If something sharp is getting through your tire, it's too late. The qualities that make tubes good at what they do also makes them poor at puncture resistance. You have to stop things before they reach the tube.